Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett set as clear No. 1 overall pick
The Cleveland Browns have the easiest choice of any NFL team when it comes to using their first pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.
The mock drafts continue to come out at a rapid pace, but there is little differentiation among them all when it comes to the Cleveland Browns and the No. 1 overall pick.
Myles Garrett continues to appear at the top of nearly every mock draft, as he has done nothing to revoke his claim as the top prospect in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Fans may have certain players they want more than Garrett, but drafting first overall is all about taking the most talented player, regardless of position. That is different if a team already has a star quarterback and the top prospect is a quarterback, but those types of teams don’t end up with early draft picks.
The question now comes up about what the reaction will be if Garrett doesn’t turn out to be a star. Would the pick be a waste?
Well, everything is easier in hindsight. But with Garrett cemented as the top prospect, any team in the Browns’ situation would take him with the No. 1 overall pick, barring any irrational decision-making. There are no red flags raised about him, and he has shown himself to be a potential future star.
Related: Browns could consider a WR at No. 12
Players like this may not turn out to be Hall of Famers, but passing on them just doesn’t make sense unless there are any visible problems. And with Garrett, there are none.
Drafting Garrett has the Browns assume the risk that comes with drafting any player. He may not turn out to be a superstar, but that is true for any player. The front office has to rely on their scouts, and even just the eye test when it comes to Garrett. He wouldn’t be the consensus No. 1 pick if he wasn’t a talented player.
The main discussion surrounding the Browns will be what the team does with the No. 12 overall pick, as that is where the team can go in countless directions. The new narrative emerging focuses on the team taking a quarterback, with Deshaun Watson and Mitch Trubisky being the favorites, but the pick could even be included in a trade for Jimmy Garoppolo.
Next: Brock Osweiler could be Browns next bridge quarterback
Fans will be left in the dark about the No. 12 pick until draft night, but it is refreshing that the team is receiving a talented player with the No. 1 overall pick.